Washout plug



'A ril'zl; 1925. 1,534,793

' sqJ. LUPTON WASHOUT PLUG Filed April 15. 1921 as abtmm' Patented Apr,21-, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J. LUITO'N, OF WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BIRD-ARCHER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed April is, 1921. Serial No. 461,121.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. LUPTON, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, Dominion of Canada,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVashout Plugs, ofwhich the following is a specification. V p

This invention relates to wash-out plugs and is particularly directed towash-out plugs for locomotive boilers and other types of boilers and thelike.

A feature ofthe invention is to provide a wash-out plug having ascrew-threaded cap, the screw thread of the plug for receiving the capbeingprotected against injury in theme of the wash-out plug, as whenbarring out mud or other obstruction, inserting the nozzle of a hose forflushing or washing out or other purposes.

In accordance with my invention, the wash-out plug embodies a-bodymember provided with an opening for wash-out purposes and having aprojecting portion, preferably tapering, and provided with thread ingfor positioning and sealing the body member in-a suitable, threadedopening in the shell or casing of the locomotive boiler or the like.Such threading is located on the outer face of the projecting portionand is remote from the wash-out opening. Such body member embodies anannular portion projecting exteriorly of the boiler casing and isprovided on its outer face with threading which is also remote from thewaslrout opening; and such threading begins at a location preferably ata substantial distance remote from the extreme edge of the enteriorlyprojecting portion whereby the screwt-hreaded cap may he slid on inalignment with the annular portion to preclude any cross-threading whenthe cap is turned tobegin the meshing of its thread with the thread onthe annular portion. 'By such provisions eftected'by my invention thewashout opening of the plug affords full access. .to the interior of theboiler casing by means of a bar,'nozzle or the like, and is entirely.smooth and devoid of threading;

threadings for receiving the closure cap and r and all for positioningthe body member of the plug WASHOUT PLUG.

are located remote from the zones of movement of the bar, nozzle or thelike. i

Further features and objects of the invent10l1 \V1ll be more fullyunderstood from the such as a locomotive or other boiler casing.

Fig. is a top plan view of the wash-out plug with lts closure capseated;

Fig. 31s a central longitudinal'section of the body member of thewash-out plug;

Fig. t is a top plan view of Fig. 3; Fig; 5 1s a longitudinal centralsectional elevation of the cap shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a central'longitudinal sectional elevation of the'body memberof the plug shown in 8, with a'counter sunk cap seated thereon; p

Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal sectional elevation of the cap shown inFig. 7 and Fig.9 is a top plan view of Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the casing of the locomotiveboiler,stationary boiler or the like is indicated at 1 having a wash-outsubstantially circular opening 2. The circular side of the opening 2 isusually threaded: the plug maybe welded in if desired.

.The wash-out plug'comprises the hollow an outer face 5 of l'iexagonalcontour for receiving a wrench or other tool for positioning the bodymember. The portion 6 is provided on its outer face 7 with the threading8 for meshing with the threading of the ,opening 2 in the boiler casingfor position- .ing and setting the hollow body member of the wash-outplug in the opening of the casing. The face 7 is preferably tapered toinsure the sealing of'the wash-out plug in liquid-tight engagement withthe opening 2; such tapering is also advantageous in minimizing theeffort required for setting the plug'in the opening of the casing.

The annular portion 9 of the body member following detail descriptionand the accom .0 of the wash-out plug;

extends exteriorly of the boiler easing when the body member 3 is inposition. 011 the outer face of the annular portion 9 I provide thethreading 11 adapted to mesh with the threading of the cap, as describedmore particularly hereinafter.

Such threading 11 begins preferably at a location indicated at 12 whichis remote at a substantial spacingfrom the extreme edge 13 of theannular portion 9.

The central opening of the body member 3 is indicated at 14;. Theperipheral region 15 of the inner face of the opening 14 is preferablyoutwardly flaring, and also outwardly curved at its extreme edge 16 tofacilitate rocking of the bar or other tool insert-ed'tlirough theopening let for the purpose'of'prying mud or other sediment, and forreadily inserting and rotating. the nozzle of a water hose for flushingout the interior of the boiler casing.

"The formv of cap 20 shown in Figs. 1, 2,

5 and 6 .comprises the annular body portion 21 which is preferably ofoutwardly flaring contour and provided on its inner face withthethreading 22 for meshing with the .threadingll. The space 23 on theinterior of the cap is shown of reduced effective diameter and free;from threading to provide a free space for the reception of a washer,indicated in Fig. 1, coacting with the extreme edge 13 of the bodymember such washer is usually a casing of thin copper enclosing asbestosor like material for effecting a steam or watertight seal against theescape of steam or water between the cap and the annular portion of thewash-out plug.

By reason of the outward portion ofthe outer face l0 of'the annularportion 9 being smooth and free from threading for a considerablespacing, the cap 20 is aligned while being centered for the purpose ofstarting the meshing of the threading 22 with the threading 11, andthereby preeludes the possibility of cross-threading. This feature 1simportant 1n view of the repeated removal of the cap for washing out ofthe boiler.

'The cap 20 indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and (i is provided with a hollowextending portion .24; of hexagonal or other polygonal contour forreceiving a wrench 'or the like for tightening and unloosening.

The wash-out plug shown in. Fig. 7 corresponds in most details to thatshown in Figs. 1 to 6, and the same reference numbers are employed toindicate similar parts. However, the inner face 26 of the annularportion 9 of the body member 3 is outwardly flaring, to increase therange of rocking of a ba-r or similar toolorthe range of the movement ofthe hose'nozzle inserted through the'wash-out plug. Also, the cap 27s'hownin Figs. 7 to 9, is 'ofthe recessed parts.

type having its outer projecting portion 28 provided with the recess 29of hexagonal contour for receiving an hexagonal shaped insert fortightening and unloosening the cap.

From the above, it will be observed that my invention provides for awash-out plug of rugged construction, and having its cap mounted to beopenedand closed in a man nor to preclude substantial wear of the Thesefeatures of construction are of the highest importance, inasmuch as theoperation of washing out boilers of locomotives and other boilers isusually per formed. by unskilled labor.

lVhereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof it will be understood that many changes and modifications may bemade without departing .from'the' spirit of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

I claim.

1. A wash-out plug for the casing of a boiler or the like comprising ahollow body member including a portion threaded exteriorly to be seatedwithin a threaded opening of the casing, said portion being providedwith a centrally disposed, outwardly flaring opening of substantiallysmooth contour for receiving and movably supporting a cleaning-out tool,said body member further including an annular portion extendingexteriorly of the opening of the casing, the outer face of said annular.portion. being provided with a threading beginning at a location at aspaced distance from the outer end of said annular portion and extendingtoward said firstnamed portion, the outer face of said annular portionfrom its outer edge to the locationsof beginning of said threading beingsubstantially smooth, and a closure cap for said annular portionprovided with a threading beginning at its outer end and extending onits inner face to a certain location, the remainder of said inner facebeing substantially smooth.

2. A wash-out plug for the casing of a boiler or the like comprising ahollow body member including a portion threaded exteriorly to be seatedwithin a threaded opening of the casing, said portion being providedwith a centrally disposed, outwardly flaring opening of substantiallysmoothcontour for receiving and movably supporting a cleaning-out tool,said body member further including an. annular portion extendingexteriorly of the opening of the casing, the outer face of said annularportion being provided with a threading beginning at a location at aspaced distance from the outer end of said annular portion and extendingtoward said firstnamed portion, the outer face of said an- 'nularportion from its outer edge to the location of beginning of saidthreading being substantially smooth, said body portion furtherincluding a portion disposed intermediate said first-named portion andsaid exterior annular portion and provided With a central opening havinga substantially smooth inner face, and a closure cap for said annularportion provided with a threading beginning at its outer endandextending on its inner face to a certain location, the remainder ofsaid inner face being substantially smooth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 7th day ofMarch 1921.

SAMUEL J. LUPTON.

